Glen Morgan's Willard isn't your ordinary mainstream remake! Unlike the bombastic and computerized money-making films like …oh, I don't know Texas Chainsaw Massacre, 13 Ghosts and Dawn of the Dead who're merely loud updates of classic horrific tales. Willard is a modest and respectful production that lays the stress on atmosphere and scenery instead of gory effects and good-looking young flesh. Willard is the tale of an extremely introvert middle-aged man (lives with his needy mother, no girlfriend, stuck in a hopeless job) who discover his ability to control and command little rodents…rats in particular. By communicating with these rats, he finally discovers what friendship feels like and it also gives him the opportunity to satisfy his deepest feelings of anger and vengeance towards his boss – Frank Martin. But the mob of rats slowly turns against Willard as he doesn't treat them alike. Thanks to the depressing scenery (Willard's old house, the morbid factory) and the under-exposure at times, Willard often looks like a 40's chiller! There's a good and constant variation of tension and sadistic humor, with the cat-chase as the absolute highlight to state this. Crispin Glover – the man with the most incomprehensible cult following in the film industry – is brilliantly cast as Willard. His goofy – yet spooky – charisma fits his character really well. R. Lee Ermey receives the change to be his old boisterous self again as the dreary factory-owner who's out to destroy Willard life. To conclude the cast, Laura Harding is very charming as the understanding and helpful Cathryn. This film may not show as many bloodshed and eccentric slaughtering as the nowadays public demands, but it surely made an impression on me. Willard is a very atmospheric and often frightening horror storytelling with some adorable fairy-tale aspects and playfully imaginative aspects. Highly recommended. I saw this film at a during a festival-night…after a series of gory slashers. The over-enthusiast public didn't appreciate it that much but I trust in the fact that Willard will build up a solid cult reputation.

This reworking of a long-forgotten '70s horror about a maladjusted young man who possesses an uncanny power over rats is one of the better remakes out there. That's because it has a quirky style all of its own, a kind of dark humour that reminded me best of RE-ANIMATOR, although the two films are very different. WILLARD finds the remarkable Crispin Glover playing a strange loner who spends a lot of time hanging out in his elderly mother's basement, while being browbeaten by his belligerent boss at work.

For those who don't know, this film's all about rats. I'm something of a rodent lover, so I was immediately entertained by these little beasts: as animal actors go, they're excellent, and the way the filmmakers put character into a couple of the critters is very clever. Socrates is the lovable friend in many heartwarming scenes, while Ben is the creepy, imposing hulk of a rat. Watching Glover's interplay with the animals is a lot of fun – a kind of DOCTOR DOLITTLE for the horror crowd, if you will.

Unlike many modern horror films, the emphasis of WILLARD is on the plotting. Some might find the pace rather slow, but it works in the film's favour: this is a character piece more than standard schlocky fare. It goes without saying that Glover is excellent, channelling a young Jeffrey Combs and immediately getting the audience on side despite his character's quirks. He's given strong support from R. Lee Ermey (typically larger than life) and the attractive Laura Harring as a potential love interest. Writer/director Glen Morgan brought a lot of life to THE X-FILES during his time on the show, and he does the same trick here.

The movie centers about Crispin Glover a quirky and lone man about thirty years old . He lives with her ill mother and amount of mouses into his home . He has got as enemy to the office chief . Rats will help him to revenge .

The film will have to flee whom don't like the rats because they appear in everyone shots , close-ups , foreground and background of the flick . There are thousand rats and they have been made by animatronics and computer generator specials effects(FX).

Acting by Crispin Glover is excellent , interpreting to Willard as a twisted mind is fantastic , likeness to Norman Bates/Anthony Perkins of Psychosis . R. Lee Ermey as the evil and villain chief is perfect such as his acting in ¨Full metal jacket¨ , Laura Elena Harring (Mulholland drive) is cute .

Direction by Glen Morgan is nicely made , cinematography by Robert MacLachlan is first-rate and Shirley Walker's musical score is gorgeous.

It's a remake to another 1971 film featured by Bruce Davison who only appears in photography as Willard's father into this 2003 film.

Rating 6/10 , average .